MLB analyst says there's a bit of hope for the Los Angeles Angels: "Just keep Trout, Ohtani, Anthony Rendon and company on the field"
The Los Angeles Angels were one of baseball's most disappointing teams in 2022. A team with Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani on it should not be this bad. Alas, Trout spent a lot of time hurt (along with many other players) and the Angels fizzled out after an encouraging start to the season.
There's not much hope in Anaheim for the upcoming season, which could be Ohtani's last there if they can't turn it around. However, one MLB insider believes there may be a sliver of hope.
Will Leitch of MLB.com said:
"The Angels' pitching was actually a little better in 2022 than it has been in recent years -- there might be five solid starters on this team in '23 for the first time in recent memory -- and you would have to think the injury woes can’t be as awful again, right?"
He added with even more reason to hope the Angels can be decent next season:
"They seemingly raised their floor with the additions of reliable veterans such as Hunter Renfroe, Brandon Drury and Tyler Anderson, among others. If the Halos can just keep Trout, Ohtani, Anthony Rendon and company on the field most of the time, and everything else is just league average, this team could sail into the playoffs."
The Angels got a lot of poor injury luck last season. Trout, Ohtani and Rendon form one of baseball's best trios when healthy- assuming Rendon can return to form after a couple of injury-riddled seasons.
Can the Los Angeles Angels dig out of their current hole?
The Los Angeles Angels are not picked to be a contender this year. Most pundits expect Ohtani to leave by the trade deadline and in free agency if that doesn't occur.
Leitch is right, though. There are reasons to believe the Angels can do it. If they can get a full year of Trout and Ohtani, plus a good season from another player like Brandon Drury or Hunter Renfroe, there's no reason to think they can't at least make a run at a Wild Card slot.
They do have very poor luck and it could all go awry, but before that happens, there's no reason to despair just yet.